Everton v Benfica - Thursday 5th November @ 8.00pm.

[sotnas]

Were going to get beat arent we?

Not if we can show them the Goodison atmosphere.

Still, it won't be easy.

 

[sotnas]

This.

With Fellaini and Cahill swapping

Would go 4-4-2, but Saha's struggling, and Jo is Jo.

What kind of swap are we talking?:huh:

 

[ijjysmith]

http://www.evertonfc.com/news/archive/pre-benfica-image-gallery.html

The Picture of Hibbo...enough to strike fear into anyone!!

 

[Michaelcoyb]

Ok I was just on ESPNsoccernet.com and I was reading the preview for tomorrow's game and it says that pienaar is chance to be on the bench. All of a sudden im feeling optimistic!

 

[ToxtethBlue]

Bilya's training in one of those photos, he's to Jo's left I think. I expect him to play and hopefully, play well.

I don't think Saha is a doubt, Moyes' said they are just having to be careful with him because he's got a slight calf strain. He'll probably be on the bench.

Other than that I'd expect Gosling and Hibbert down the right, Yakubu leading the line and a midfield three of Rodwell, Fellaini and Cahill. I'd expected Benfica to go 4-4-2 so we should really be winning this midfield battle, especially at home.

 

[Russian Evertonian]

Nothing less than 5-0 will be no good for me! Come on you Toffees! Come on Diniyar!

 

[AdamTheGreatOneB]

It's gonna be close tonight. Benfica don't travel well so I'll say we can take this 1-0.

 

[Rugby Toffee]

A win for us , any win , a win pleeeeeeeeeeeeese.

 

[Michaelcoyb]

Skysports is also reporting that pienaar is a chance to be on the bench.

 

[AdamTheGreatOneB]

Skysports is also reporting that pienaar is a chance to be on the bench.

And that Hibbert is a doubt due to flu?

 

[Blue Truth]

For all Aussies interested the game is on live on SBS1

 

[Cahill_Winner]

Hmm, had a look at this football article on Europa league previews, and Benfica's league form prior to their 2-0 defeat at the weekend was 6 straight wins, 6-1, 3-1, 5-0, 2-1, 4-0 and 8-1.

And the blogger highlights excuses for their defeat at the weekend, apparently they had a perfectly good goal disallowed and their best striker got sent off at halftime for fighting in the tunnel.

So all this doesn't point me towards being a smiley happy person going into tonight's match, but hey, I'll have some faith and go for a 2-1 win, although not sure where the goals are coming from.

 

[AdamTheGreatOneB]

Hmm, had a look at this football article on Europa league previews, and Benfica's league form prior to their 2-0 defeat at the weekend was 6 straight wins, 6-1, 3-1, 5-0, 2-1, 4-0 and 8-1.

And the blogger highlights excuses for their defeat at the weekend, apparently they had a perfectly good goal disallowed and their best striker got sent off at halftime for fighting in the tunnel.

So all this doesn't point me towards being a smiley happy person going into tonight's match, but hey, I'll have some faith and go for a 2-1 win, although not sure where the goals are coming from.

I think someone said on Sky Sports earlier that Benfica have lost their last 7 games on the road in Europe. They don't like to travel.

 

[Seamus Colemole]

We need luck.

And plenty of it.

 

[AdamTheGreatOneB]

Sky Sports | Football News | Match Preview | Everton v Benfica - 5th November 2009

I was almost right. They've failed to win in their last 7 away games in Europe.